Bru. Let's to the Capitol, And carry with us ears and eyes for th' time, But hearts for the event. Sic. Have with you. 1 Off SCENE V. The CAPITOL. Enter two Officers, to lay cushions. [Exeunt. Ome, come, they are almost here; how many and for Confulships? 2 Off. Three they fay; but 'tis thought of every one, Coriolanus will carry it. 1 Off. That's a brave fellow, but he's vengeance proud, and loves not the common people. 2 Off. 'Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the people, who ne'er lov'd them, and there be many that they have loved they know not wherefore; fo that if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love, or hate him, manifefts the true knowledge he has in their difpofition, and out of his noble 5 careleffness he let's them plainly fee't. 1 Of. If he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good, nor harm: but he feeks their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him; and leaves nothing undone, that may fully discover him their oppofite. Now to feem to affect the malice and difpleasure of the people, is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love. 2 Off. He hath deferved worthily of his country: and his afcent is not by fuch eafy degrees as 'theirs who have been fupple and courteous to the people bonneted, without any further deed to heave them at all into their eftima 5 cartleffness lets 6 thofe eftimation and report: but he hath fo planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be filent, and not confefs fo much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwife, were a malice that, giving it felf the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from ev'ry ear that heard it. I Off. No more of him, he is a worthy man: make way, they are coming. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the People, Lictors before them; Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the Conful: Sicinius and Brutus take their places by themfelves. Therefore, please you, Men. Having determin'd of the Volfcians, and We 7'meet here, both to thank, and to remember 1 Sen. Speak, good Cominius: Leave nothing out for length, and make us think Than that we ftretch it out. Mafters o' th' people, Sic. We are convented Upon a pleafing treaty, and have hearts Inclinable to honour and advance H 4 The 7 met 2 Than we to stretch yield what 1 The theam of our affembly. Bru. Which the rather We fhall be bleft to do, if he remember Men. That's off, that's off: I would you rather had been filent: please you Bru. Moft willingly: But yet my caution was more pertinent Man. He loves your people, But tye him not to be their bedfellow : [Coriolanus rifes and offers to go away. Nay, keep your place. 1 Sen. Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear What you have nobly done. Cor. Your Honour's pardon: I had rather have my wounds to heal again, Than hear fay how I got them. Bru. Sir, I hope My words dif-bench'd you not. Cor. No, Sir; yet oft, When blows have made me stay, I fled from words. Men. Pray now, fit down. Cor. I had rather have one fcratch my head i' th' fun, When the alarum were ftruck, than idly fit To hear my nothings monfter'd. Men. Mafters of the people, [Exit Coriolanus. fee Your multiplying fpawn how can he flatter, That That valour is the chiefeft virtue, and And in the brunt of feventeen battels fince, I cannot speak him home: he ftopt the fliers, And fell below his ftern: his fword (death's ftamp) 1 The mortal Gate o'th' City, which he painted 2 Nor all's this; "Twere 'Twere a perpetual fpoil; and 'till we call'd Men. Worthy man! 1 Sen. He cannot but with meafure 'fill the honours Which we devife him. Com. All our fpoils he kick'd at, And look'd upon things precious, as they were Men. He's right noble, Let him be call'd for. Sen. Call Coriolanus. Off. He doth appear. Enter Coriolanus. Men. The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd To make thee Conful. Cor. I do owe them ftill My life, and fervices. Men. It then remains That you do fpeak to th' people. Cor. I beseech you, Let me o'er-leap that cuftom; for I cannot Sic.Sir, but the people too muft' have their voices, Nor will they bate one jot of ceremony. Men. Put them not to't: pray fit you to the cuftom, And take t'ye, as your predeceffors have, Your honour with 7 'the form. Cor. It is a part That I fhall blush in acting, and might well Be taken from the people. Bru. 3 fit 4 Our 5 país 6 Sir, the people muft 7 your |